Buddhist Monk`s Soup

1 qt Water

1 lb Pumkin or butternut squash

- peeled & cut into - large chunks 1 Sweet potato

- peeled & chunked 1/2 c Raw peanuts; shelled and

- skinned. Soaked 30 min, - drained & roughly chopped 1/3 c Dried mung beans

- soaked 30 min and drained 3 tb Vegetable oil

1 Square of bean curd

1 qt Coconut milk

1/2 oz Cellophane noodles,

- soaked 20 min, drained - & cut into 1 inch sections ~- Boil the water and drop in the pumpkin/squash, sweet potato, peanuts and mung beans. Cook on medium heat for 35 min. While making the soup, prepare the bean curd by heating the oil in a frying pan and cooking the curd until light brown on both sides. Slice lengthwise into 1/4 inch strips and set aside. After the 35 min, check the mung beans for softness. If they`re soft, add the coconut milk and a touch of salt. Bring up to a boil and throw in the cellophane noodles and fried bean curd. Serve with rice and Buddhist Nuoc Leo. From: [email protected] ( Tim Ikeda)